THE NOBLE NATURE

 

THE NOBLE NATURE

            ‘The Noble Nature’ is the title of a poem written by the English dramatist Ben Jonson (1573?—1637).

He was also a lyrics writer. Whereas he was satirical in his plays, he was rich in appreciation of true beauty and nobility in his lyrics.

One of his best plays is Volpone which is staged even today. It tells of an old miser (his name means: The fox” who pretends to be dying in order to extract rich gifts from his greedy friends, who expect to be his heirs.

            Another lyric for which he is admired by the general public is To Celia which begins with the line: Drink to me only with thine eyes.

            The poem “The Noble Nature” deals with the concept of nobility. It argues that a beautiful life, even when it is short, is more valuable than a long one having no qualities.  To prove his point, the poet compares a short-lived lily with the oak tree which has a long life but no beauty.

            Lilies are symbols of light, beauty, loveliness, purity, renewal and rebirth.

The Oak tree is a symbol of un-majestic strength, endurance and long life.  

Given below is the full text of the poem.

                        The Noble Nature

It is not growing like a tree

In bulk, doth make Man better be;

Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,

To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere;

            A lily of a day

            Is fairer far in May,

Although it fall and die that night ---

It was the plant and flower of Light.

In small proportions we just beauties see;

And in short measures life may perfect be.

                                    **********

G.R.Kanwal

15 March 2025